At a press conference here, he said the government had already decided not to increase electricity tariffs for domestic consumers and SMEs to protect their interests.
“The government will do everything within its ability to protect and help SMEs and we are monitoring this (rise in Covid-19 cases in China) carefully,” he said.
“The value chain has to be looked at in detail because disruptions will start with importers, (which is the same) if something happens in China or another country,” he added.
Rafizi was asked to comment on the country’s economic challenges next year following the latest Covid-19 developments in China.
China had kept its borders largely shut after the pandemic broke out in 2020, imposing a strict regime of lockdowns and relentless testing.
However, an abrupt reversal in course on Dec 7 has seen a wave of infections across the country. The country is also reopening its borders on Jan 8, with calls in Malaysia to restrict visitors from China.
Rafizi said the economic affairs ministry has been keeping a close eye on the Covid-19 situation in China since cases first started spreading in early 2020.
“China is the world’s second-largest economy. Over the last two years, many things that happened in China have had a big impact on the whole world, including Malaysia.
“This also includes the sudden increase in the price of certain goods (and a decrease in) most manufacturing activities.”
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